Scientists from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) attended the annual Geological Convention (GEOCON) last 11-12 December 2018 at Manila Hotel, Manila, Philippines. Twenty-five (25) researchers from PHIVOLCS submitted their abstracts and shared what they have learned from their studies through poster presentations.

Posters entitled “Anomalous Changes in the MT Impedances during February 2015 Seismic Swarm in Taal Volcano (Philippines)”; “Microgravity Monitoring: Preliminary Observations in Taal and Mayon Volcano, Philippines”; “Interseismic Velocities and GPS Motions Associated with 6 July 2017 M6.5 Philippine Fault (Leyte Segment) Earthquake”; “System Test Development for 2015 PHIVOLCS Earthquake Catalog Quality and Accuracy Checking of Hypocenter Earthquake Source Parameters”; “Microtremor Array Survey of the Long Period Ground Motion Levels in Metropolitan Cebu, Philippines”; “Seismic Site Classification Microzonation of Metro Cebu Based on Geology and Shear Wave Velocity”; “Coulomb Stress Transfer and Seismic Implications of 2012-2017 Central Philippine Earthquakes”; and “Seismic Characterization of the 2018 Mayon Volcano Eruption” presented by P. Alanis, J. De Lima, T. Bacolcol, D. Godilano, I. Jumahali, A. Olaes, B. Marfito, and L. Jumawan respectively under the Tectonophysics and Stratigraphy category.

Poster presentations under the Surface Processes and Hazards category were “Tsunami Damage Estimation along the Coast of Laoag City Using Tsunami Fragility Functions” of B. Rodriguez, “Application of Small Remotely Piloted Aircrafts on the Disaster Risk Reduction Activities of DOST-PHIVOLCS” and “Application of Remotely Piloted Aircrafts (RPAs) in Monitoring Recent Unrest at Mayon Volcano” by D. Buhay and C. Pogay respectively. M. Villegas presented “A Qualitative Analysis of the Response of Individuals and Communities, and Evacuation Behaviors during the 2014 Mayon Volcano Eruption”, M. Cahulogan presented “Geospatial Information, Systems and Technologies for Efficient Hazard and Risk Assessments”, and M. Mahor presented “Standardization of Philippine Geospatial Data for the GeoRiskPH System: An assessment of Existing Exposure Data.”

Posters labeled “Significance of Polygon-based Approach to Hazard Assessment of Schools and Health Facilities: Building an Accurate Critical Facilities Database”, “A GIS-based Comparative Study Using ArcGIS and CARA-GIS Methodologies in Determining Exposure to Natural Hazards of Provinces and Road Networks in the Philippines”, “Web-based Landslide Warning System for Rizal Province using GSMap”, “Deep-Seated Landslide Monitoring During the August 2018 Landslide Events in Northern Luzon”, “Deep-Seated Ground Movements in the Dynaslope Sites in Northern Luzon Triggered by the August 2018 Habagat Rainfalls”, “Earthquake-Induced Landslide Hazard Modelling of Negros Island, Western Visayas, Philippines Using Newmark Sliding Block Analysis”, “Active Faults in Negros Island, Central Philippines and their Tectonic Implications”, “Offshore Active Faults Mapping in Surigao Strait, Philippines”, “Paleoseismic Evidence along the Leyte Segment of the Philippine Fault”, and “Living with Active Faults: Earthquake Risk Perception of Selected Households along the West Valley Fault and the Philippine Fault – Leyte Segment” written by Y. Aquino, J. Tabuzo, A. Daag, J. Sahagun, A. Jacela, K. Vitto, D. Llamas, B. Marfito, J. Perez, and C. Villamil separately were also displayed under the Surface Processes and Hazards category.

V. Gabriel presented his work “Correlation of Rainfall and Soil moisture to Monitor Deep-Seated Landslides in the Philippines” during the Session 4: Understanding Landslide Mechanisms, Triggers and Risk.

“GEOCON remains to be a converging point that brings together geologists from the industry, government or the academe,” said DOST Undersecretary and GEOCON 2018 Chairperson Renato U. Solidum Jr. He also stated that GEOCON 2018 is an important event for fellow geologists to “gain new insights, make new friends, create linkages and in the process build themselves and help build the nation together with others.”